Woot woot!!! I made it, I’m here.  I am cleansed! After ten long days of what I’m calling, the hunger quencher’s trifector diet (cayenne lemonades, salt water flushes, and laxative teas) I am finally done!  It wasn’t easy, but I made it.

Day Thirteen

Rise and shine and drink the brine! And like a good little cleanse, I do. Feeling fairly rested I think to myself how happy I am to not be doing this tomorrow morning. My last salt water flush! The salt water must have heard me thinking that because it comes out of me like a title wave! But no solids, or even thick liquids, come with it. I smile.

Once the last movement is done, I get my day started. It begins to strike me that my routine is going to change drastically. Everyday forward, I’m going to have to think about what I’ll have for breakfast. But even before that, I’ll have to go to the grocery store and buy the goods. But even before I head to the grocers, I’ll have to decide on what I want. What a lot of effort for just one meal! Maybe I should stick to sucking lemons.

As the day rolls on and I get into working I find myself quite hungry. So I mix another lemonade, and drink some more water. Then I’m hungry again.  I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I’m feeling like I did on day two (hunger-wise).  What’s up with that? Is my body just anticipating the flavors and foods that are at the end of the tunnel now, or what?

The only remains of my final glass of lemonade!

The afternoon turns to evening. I get cold. Make tea. Add a little syrup (yup, we’re allowed to do that). Take a bath, drink some more lemonade. And I’m done! Several people keep impressing upon me the importance of the ease-out. That my system is not ready for much, and to take it easy and move slowly. And as much as I’m craving a huge 16 oz steak right now, my body is telling me the same thing too. I can feel it. It’s telling me to relax, and give it time to adjust. To I’ll do just that!

How do I feel?

Damn good. Ten days is a really long time. I’m glad and grateful for the support I’ve had or I don’t know if I would have made it. My body does feel cleaner (if that’s possible) and mentally I certainly have a much more developed appreciation for food. I spent more time thinking about food, where it comes from, the chemicals in it, and what I ACTUALLY like (as opposed to things I’ve just fallen into the habit of eating, or are convenient to eat) than I have in my entire life combined. I’m very appreciative to have such a stronger awareness of such an important element of health and life.

My outlook going forward?

It’s a little tough to say. Right now I’m just looking forward to the freedom of diet that is just around the corner. In the long term however I imagine I will greatly adjust my diet to fill it with a lot more natural foods. On Saturday I plan to spend the morning at the farmers’ market getting as much delicious, natural foods as I can. I just really want to take the stress off my body when it comes to dealing with the foods and drinks I put into it.

Question of the day

When it comes to the ease-out process, what has been the biggest challenge(s) for you?